Chain



(ModeL) J. T. BROUGH.

, CHAIN.

N0. 24 5, 7 8 0. Patent-ed Aug. 16, 18 8'1.

WITNESSES: I

ATTORNEYS.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES T. BROUGH, OF JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.

CHAIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 245,780, dated August 16, 1881.

Application filed February 10, 1881. (Model) To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, James T. BROUGH, of Jacksonville, in the county of Duval and State of Florida, have invented a new and Improved Chain, of which the following is a specification.

The fiat-link chains in common use are made of links riveted together, the strength of the chain being determined by the quality and size of the rivets and their resistance to the shearing strain or pull ofthe links, and when a link breaks one or two links have to be cut out and a new link put in, and new rivets also, which latter must be upset. Hence the operation of repairing a fiat-link chain of ordinary construction is slow and expensive.

The object of this invention is to facilitate the repairing and lengthening and shortening of flat-link chains.

The invention consists of a fiat-link chain having the thick or double link made with both faces recessed and socketed at each end, the socket being undercut, and in forming each single link with a flatheaded stud projecting at right angles from one face at each end thereof; and, further, in constructing the chain by coupling the double and single links together by means of the engagement of the studs on the latter in the undercut sockets of the former.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a double and single link coupled together. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section,or with parts broken away, of a section of the improved chain. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a single link. Fig. 4; is a front elevation of a double link. Fig. 5 is a front elevation, partly in section, showing the manner in which the double and single links are coupled and detached from each other. Fig. 6 is a cross-section on line 00 00, Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a cross-section on line y 3 Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a cross-section on line 2 2, Fig. 5.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

cut off, as shown at d,flush with the stud-shank and at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said link A.

0 represents a double link, whose opposite face-depressions, f, reduce its weight Without materially diminishing its strength. At each end of the central face-depressions,fi deeper depressions g g are formed, that extend in opposite directions nearly to the ends of the said link 0, and are undercut at their extremities, as shown at h, thereby forming sockets D for receiving and holding the studs B of the single links A. The depressions g are of circular form, to permit the ready entrance of the heads 0 of the studs B, and are designed to be of the same depth as said heads 0; and as a depression, g, is extended to a socket, D,it is continued straight on one side, as shown at l, for the easy passage or movement ofthe uncut edge of the stud-head 0, while on the opposite side of the depression g a projection or stop, m, is formed to prevent the admission or withdrawal of a stud, B, into or from a socket, D, excepting when the single linkA is held at right angles to the double link 0 and the straight edge at of the head 0 is presented against the said projection or stop m, as indicated in Fig. 5.

The links A G are coupled together by holding them at right angles to each other and inserting the stud B of the former into a depression, g, of the latter, and in then moving said stud B, with its straight edge cl against the stop m, into the socket D of the link (3, and in turning said link A in line with the link 0, so that the free end of the former shall extend beyond the latter. The projections or stops m are formed in the four depressions g g of each link 0 alternately in their opposite sides, as shown, so that each one ofa pair ofsingle links A, when coupling or uncoupling from a double link, 0, may be turned in a different direction, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7. Hence it will be seen that the impossibility of simultaneously uncoupling a pair oflinks, A, makes this chain more reliable than those now in use, and it will be seen that by no possibility could the links A G be moved into the uncoupling posit-ion shown in Fig. 5 while the chain was in use; consequently they cannot get apart. Should a link break, it can be quickly replaced, and the chain can be lengthened or shortened at will without the trouble of using or removing rivet or bolt.

In the manufacture of fiat-link chains of ordinary construction the links have to be accuratcly drilled to a templet, which is slow and expensive work, or punched which disturbs the fiber of the iron, so that the links are unfit for heavy work.

In the manufacture ofthechain herein shown and described the links are all cast from steel or the strongest iron, and no drilling or punching is required to fit or hold them together. Hence the chain is cheaper, and broken parts may be more quickly'aud cheaply replaced.

Having thus fully described myinventiou, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a chain-link, a double link, 0, constructed with undercut end sockets, D, depressions 20 having face-depressionsfg, and undercut end 30 sockets, D, substantially as herein shown and described, said double link and sockets being designed to receive and hold the single-link studs, as set forth.

JAMES THOMAS BROUGH; Witnesses:

DAVID GEORGE LOVE, JNo. F. SUTER. 

